Friday’s girls’ rewind: No. 2 North Meck, No. 6 Butler roll against conference rivals
North Mecklenburg, No. 2 in The Observer’s Sweet 16, cruised to a 62-14 win over Chambers on Friday night.
The Vikings scored the first 12 points of the game and won their 11th straight to improve to 19-2 overall and 11-1 in the Queen City 3A/4A.
North Mecklenburg had all 12 players score at least one point in the victory, which keeps it tied atop the league race with Mallard Creek with one week to go.
Shanon Hoover, one of seven seniors honored on Friday’s Senior Night, shared scoring honors with sophomore Lenise Joseph. Each had 10 points.
Saunders, No. 6 Butler pull away from Catholic
In what seemed like another close matchup between Butler and Charlotte Catholic, the Bulldogs took advantage of the paint to win their 11th straight game.
Before being honored on Senior Night, Butler guard Brooklyn Saunders and forward Chloe Ross both dominated on the court to lead the Bulldogs to a 56-45 victory over Charlotte Catholic.
Ross led all scorers with 20 points and Saunders had 18.
Ross’ dominance in the paint kept Butler in the lead despite Charlotte Catholic getting hot in the second half.
“I think the reason I was able to be so dominant in the paint today is because of [our] guards who give the ball in transition and look for me when I’m posting up in the paint.” Ross said after the game.
In addition to taking the post, Butler locked in on defense to keep Charlotte Catholic away from the basket.
“We definitely went out there and buckled down on defense,” Saunders said. “We all five locked in and didn’t give up any more defensive rebounds and we attacked the rim instead of shooting threes.”
After the game, Saunders was officially presented an award by Payton Sutton for becoming Butler’s all-time leader in assists and steals.
“Yeah, it feels very good,” Saunders said. “I love Butler, I love the people here and it’s really special to be able to receive the award for both assists and steals.”
Friday’s #BIG5 girls’ basketball stars
NyKira Arrington, South Meck: In a 46-45 win over Sweet 16 No. 13 Ardrey Kell, Arrington had 12 points, 12 rebounds and the game-winning layup near the buzzer to send the Sabres into first place in the SoMECK conference.
Janiyah Boyd, Monroe: The freshman had 30 points, 11 rebounds, six steals and three assists in a 58-40 win over Parkwood.
Taylor Riggenbach, Lincoln Charter: Riggenbach scored 16 of her game-high 19 points in the second half of Friday’s 48-39 win over Bradford Prep.
Brooklyn Saunders, Butler: In a 56-45 win over Charlotte Catholic that clinched the league title, Saunders had 18 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and seven steals. She also became the school’s all-time leader in assists and steals.
My’Asia Young, Mallard Creek: In a 70-34 win over Hough, Young finished with 18 points, five rebounds and four steals.
Friday’s capsules
No. 1 Lake Norman 93, Cox Mill 27: It was Samantha Shehan’s night to star. Shehan hit 10 three-pointers and scored 40 points, as Lake Norman improved to 10-0 in the Greater Metro 4A and clinched the regular-season championship.
No. 3 Providence Day 43, Charlotte Latin 30: The Chargers tied Cannon School for the CISAA championship (each at 9-1), building a 31-11 halftime lead in this game. Ginny Anne Dumont and Jane Updyke led Providence Day’s balanced attack with eight points apiece.
No. 4 Cannon School 75, Charlotte Christian 8: The Cougars claimed a share of the CISAA title with a 9-1 record, as 11 players scored. Khloe Thompson led the way with 15 points.
(Thursday) No. 5 Concord Academy 69, Gaston Day 5: Concord Academy wrapped up its 10th straight Metrolina Athletic Conference championship, finishing 12-0. Justice Alexander led the way with 21 points, and Faith Crowell added 14.
No. 8 Mallard Creek 70, Hough 34: Kiara Anderson scored 20 points, and the Mavericks improved to 11-1 in Queen City 3A-4A play. My’Asia Young added 18 points for Mallard Creek, while Chloe Galombeck led Hough (8-4) with 13.
No. 12 Jay M. Robinson 39, Northwest Cabarrus 34: The visiting Bulldogs clinched at least a tie for the regular-season South Piedmont 3A championship, as Destiny Chambers scored 20 points and added 10 rebounds. Camri Hobbs also had a double-double, with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Robinson is now 18-4 overall and 14-0 in the conference. The Trojans slipped to 17-4, 12-2.
No. 16 South Mecklenburg 46, No. 13 Ardrey Kell 45: The Sabres took over first place in the SoMeck 4A, as NyKira Arrington scored the game-winning layup with two seconds left. Arrington finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Karly Glahn led Ardrey Kell with 12. The outcome left the Sabres at 9-1 in the conference, while Ardrey Kell fell to 8-2.
Ashbrook 66, Forestview 52: Freshman Jakyra Sadler scored 24 points and added seven rebounds and six assists for the Green Wave in this Big South 3A contest.
Burns 38, Bessemer City 34: Tionna Pettus score 26 points for Bessemer City in its Southern Piedmont 1A-2A setback.
Central Cabarrus 50, West Rowan 39: Daniyah Burton’s 17 points and nine rebounds led the Vikings to a South Piedmont 3A triumph. Myajah Nix had 12 rebounds.
Christ the King 54, Community School of Davidson 52: The Crusaders scored their first victory over Community School of Davidson in five years and won their eighth game in a row. Audrey Gorman led the effort with 16 points.
East Lincoln 65, St. Stephens 36: Emma Montanari scored 18 points and added six rebounds and six steals, as the Mustangs improved to 11-1 in the Western Foothills 3A and remained a game behind first-place North Lincoln. Lane Pethel had her eighth double-double of the season, with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Hunter Huss 62, South Point 53: South Point led 38-26 early in the third quarter of this Big South 3A game, but the Huskies went on a 17-2 run later in the period and pulled away. Brookyln Swann and Shemiah McCoy each scored 19 points, as Hunter Huss improved to 12-0 in the conference and remained one game ahead of Stuart Cramer. South Point (8-4) got 20 points from Toney Milton. Amya Graham added 18 and became South Point’s No. 2 all-time scorer.
Jackson Day 70, Sugar Creek Charter 10: Jackson Day piled up a 46-0 halftime lead and coasted to a Metro 1A victory. Freshman Gia Wilson had 19 points and five steals, and Amyia Martin added nine rebounds and seven steals.
Lincoln Charter 48, Bradford Prep 39: Taylor Riggenbach scored 16 of her 19 points in the second half, and Lincoln Charter improved to 12-0 in the Catawba Shores 1A-2A. The Eagles outscored Bradford Prep 15-6 in the fourth quarter.
Monroe 58, Parkwood 40: The Redhawks got 30 points, 11 rebounds and six steals from freshman Janiyah Boyd. Monroe is 8-2 in the Rocky River 2A-3A, trailing first-place Forest Hills (10-0).
Queen’s Grant Charter 71, Piedmont Community Charter 26: The Stallions totaled 33 steals, with Misa Garris totaling 15 of those thefts. Za’Miya Bynum led Queen’s Grant in the Metro 1A romp with 33 points, and Garris added 30.
Stuart Cramer 63, Crest 41: The Storm remained a game behind Hunter Huss in the Big South 3A race, as Oshauna Holland poured in 23 points and had 10 assists. Lauren Humphrey added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
West Charlotte 73, Harding 43: Bri’Asia Powe scored 15 points, and Jonnae Bennett added 14 for the Lions in their Queen City 3A-4A victory.
Friday’s girls’ box scores
NO. 2 NORTH MECKLENBURG 62, CHAMBERS 14
Chambers 2 8 0 4 — 14
North Mecklenburg 22 14 18 8 — 62
CHAMBERS 14 — White 9, Kelly 2, Bridges 3
NORTH MECKLENBURG 62 — Mobley 1, Pimentel 2, Blake 9, Wilson 2, Reid 6, Davis 2, Smith 9, Shanon Hoover 10, Johnson 2, Knox 5, Lenise Joseph 10, Coyour 4.
Records: Chambers 6-15, 5-7; North Meck 19-2, 11-1
NO. 3 PROVIDENCE DAY 43, CHARLOTTE LATIN 30
Providence Day 11 20 9 3 — 43
Charlotte Latin 5 6 14 5 — 30
PROVIDENCE DAY 43 — Dumont 8 Updyke 8 Clark 5 Dennison 2 Ramsden 9 Stuart 3 O’Malley 6 Fyans 2
CHARLOTTE LATIN 30 — Tume 9 Roberts 4 Burns 3 Archiebald 4 Nadeau 3 Edwards 4 Sayder 3
Record: PDS 24-7, 9-1
Notable: PD claims its 23rd CISAA Conference Championship on Play4Kay and Senior Night
NO. 4 CANNON SCHOOL 75, CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 8
Cannon School 32 20 13 10 — 75
Charlotte Christian 1 0 0 7 — 8
CANNON SCHOOL 75 — Davis 2, JaKaila Gaskin 12, Larkins 2, Maya Mccorkle 10, Dixon 2, Khloe Thompson 15, Crowder 5, Madison Drayton 11, Cashwell 3, Busby 7, J.Thompson 6
Records: Cannon School 23-7 (9-1); Charlotte Christian 2-19 (0-10)
NO. 6 BUTLER 56, CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC 45
Butler 23 11 10 12 — 56
Catholic 13 4 16 10 — 45
BUTLER 56 — Chloe Ross 20, Brooklyn Saunders 18, Moss 9, Muhammad 3, Hasson 6
CATHOLIC 45 — Maggie Kernodle, Megan Shea 13, Richard 6, Farraell 6
Notable: Butler (20-1) won the Southwestern 4A conference championship led by Brooklyn Saunders (18 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, seven steals) and Chloe Ross (20 points, eight rebounds)
Records: Butler 20-1
NO. 8 MALLARD CREEK 70, HOUGH 34
Mallard Creek 17 13 14 26 — 70
Hough 9 8 10 7 — 34
MALLARD CREEK 70 — Elle Stone 21, My’Asia Young 18, Kiara Anderson 20, McGuire 5, Robertson 5, Tendall 1
HOUGH 34 — C. Galemback 13, Zoerb 2, Jakubeay 6, Breautt 7, Otto 6
Notable: Mallard Creek got big games from senior Elle Stone (21 points, four rebounds, three steals), junior My’Asia Young (18 points, five rebounds, four steals) and junior Kiara Anderson (20 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals)
Records: Mallard Creek 19-3, 11-1
NO. 16 SOUTH MECKLENBURG 46, NO. 13 ARDREY KELL 45
South Meck 12 10 16 8— 46
Ardrey Kell 9 12 15 11— 45
South Meck 46— NyKira Arrington 12, Brown 11, Hensley 7
Ardrey Kell 45 —Karly Glahn 12
Records: South Meck 19-3 (9-1); Ardrey Kell 14-7 (8-2)
Notes: NyKira Arrington caps her night (12 points and 12 rebounds) with a last second layup to win the game for the Sabres. KB Brown added 11 points, six steals and five assists. The Sabres took over first place in the SoMECK with the win.
CENTRAL CABARRUS 50, WEST ROWAN 39
Central Cabarrus 17 13 13 7– 50
West Rowan 5 10 9 15 — 39
CENTRAL CABARRUS 50 — Daniyah Burton 17, Arévalo 11, Blanchard 10, Nix 8, Rouse 4
WEST ROWAN 39 — Smith 16, Everhart 13, Hurb 6
EAST LINCOLN 65, ST. STEPHENS 36
St. Stephens 11 7 9 9 — 36
East Lincoln 18 17 14 16 — 65
SSHS 36 — Kennedy Blevins 19, K. Sims 6, S. Barkley 4, A. McHenry 3, K. Prado 3, M. Zablan 1
ELHS 65 — Emma Montanari 18, Lane Pethel 15, Taniyah Thomas 11, Harper Ledford 10, M. Matz 5, R. Farr 4, B. Miller 2
Noteable: East Lincoln got big games from Emma Montanari (18 points, six rebounds, six steals, five assists, four blocks); Lane Pethel (eighth straight double-double, 15 points, 13 rebounds, two assists); Taniyah Thomas (11 points, three assists, three steals, two rebounds) and Harper Ledford (10 points, eight rebounds, three blocks)
Records: East Lincoln 18-4, 11-1; St. Stephens 7-15, 4-8
HUNTER HUSS 62, SOUTH POINT 53
South Point 9 21 13 10 — 53
Huss 18 2 21 21 — 62
SOUTH POINT 53 — Toney Milton 20, Amya Graham 18, Stella Absher 8, Rowen Trexler 3, Claire Frank 2, Sally Risk 2
HUSS 62 — S. McCoy 19, Brooklyn Swann 19, J. Littlejohn 16, A. Camp 4, K. Griffin 3
Notable: South Point’s Amya Graham (18 points, 10 rebounds) moved to second all-time in career scoring. Teammate Rowen Trexler had 10 assists.
Records: South Point 15-6, 8-4; Huss 16-4, 12-0
LINCOLN CHARTER 48, BRADFORD PREP 39
Bradford 10 12 11 6 — 39
Lincoln Charter 16 8 9 15 — 48
BRADFORD PREP 39 — Z. Clark 13, Delgato 10, P. Clark 8, Brissaux 04, B. Clark 2, Dobson 2
LINCOLN CHARTER 48 — Taylor Riggenbach 19, Claire David 8, Martha Guinle 7, Symphani Stevens 7, Brenna Barbier 5, Lillie Merrill 2
Records: LCHS 15-6, 12-0; Bradford Prep 6-14, 5-7
Notes: Lincoln Charter’s Taylor Riggenbach scored 16 of her 19 points in the second half. Lincoln Charter plays at Christ The King on Tuesday.
MONROE 58, PARKWOOD 40
Monroe 18 13 15 12 — 58
Parkwood 8 6 14 12 — 40
Notable: Monroe got big games from Janiyah Boyd (30 points, 11 rebounds) and Desiree Hailey (14 points, 11 rebounds, three steals)
MYERS PARK 39, OLYMPIC 14
Olympic 1 9 0 3 — 14
Myers Park 10 7 10 12 — 39
OLYMPIC 14 — James 8, Terry 4, Shaw 2
MYERS PARK 39 —Summer Thomason 11, Barner 9, Reich 6, Hopkins 3, Christian 4, Evers 2, McDaniel 2, Hemingway 2
Records: Olympic 8-14, 4-6; Myers Park 10-12, 8-2
PROVIDENCE 50 ROCKY RIVER 35
Providence 8 14 8 5 — 35
Rocky River 23 11 11 5 — 50
PROVIDENCE 35 — Avery Detenber 13, Anna Fillnow 5, Elliott Stafford 2, Zamiyah Brooks 7, Emma Fuller 7, Marleee Whitten 1
ROCKY RIVER 50 — L. Spears 24, C. Montgomery 11, M. Michel 3, T . Jarrett 9, E. Bantu 1, K Reeves 2
Records: Providence 7-14, Rocky River 12-7
Notes: Emma Fuller had 7 points 10 rebs & 10 blocks, Anna Fillnow had 6 rebs, Zamiyah Brooks has 8 rebs
WEST CHARLOTTE 73, HARDING 43
Harding University 10 14 12 7 — 43
West Charlotte 11 22 22 18 — 73
HARDING 43 — B. Overby 4 , T.Walker 3, Egypt Overton 17 , A.Jones 3 , Damiya Garris 14 , Tamya C 1, M .House 1.
WEST CHARLOTTE 73 — C. Generette 9 , Jonnae Bennett 14 , Kenya Grier 12 , Bri’Asia Rowe 15 , M. Huey 2 , P.Reaves 6 , M. Ginn 9 , A. Gray 4 , B. Moultrie 2.
Records: West Charlotte 14-6
Thursday’s girls’ box scores
CONCORD ACADEMY 69, GASTON DAY 5
Concord Academy 23 21 14 11 — 69
Gaston Day 0 0 2 3 — 5
CONCORD ACADEMY 69 — Justice Alexander 21, Faith Crowell 14, Quinn Hicks 13, Jayla Brower 10, Taylor Smith 7, Faith Bekich 2, Ava McDermott 2
GASTON DAY 5 — Chaney Thompson 5
Note: This is Concord Academy’s 10th consecutive MAC Conference Championship
COVENANT DAY 56, CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 26
Charlotte Christian 7 1 10 8 — 26
Covenant Day 16 6 23 11 — 56
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN 26 — Bellis 8, Maxwell-Wright 7, Pisarski, 4, Spang 4, Ross-Hubbard 3
COVENANT DAY 56 — Houseton 17, Dix 12, Allen 10, Hall 9, Nelson 6, Engstrom 2
Records: Charlotte Christian 2-18; Covenant Day 15-11
Weekend schedule
FRIDAY
Queen City 3A-4A
Hopewell at West Mecklenburg
Mallard Creek 70, Hough 34
North Mecklenburg 62, Chambers 14
West Charlotte 73, Harding 43
SoMeck 4A
Myers Park 39, Olympic 14
Palisades 55, Ballantyne Ridge 8
South Mecklenburg 46, Ardrey Kell 45
Southwestern 4A
Butler 56, Charlotte Catholic 45
East Mecklenburg 45, Independence 25
Rocky River 50, Providence 35
CISAA
Cannon School 75, Charlotte Christian 8
Charlotte Country Day 58, Covenant Day 41
Providence Day 43, Charlotte Latin 30
Greater Metro 4 4A
A.L. Brown at South Iredell
Lake Norman 93, Cox Mill 27
Mooresville 72, West Cabarrus 54
Southern Carolina 4A
Marvin Ridge d. Sun Valley, 1-0 via forfeit
Weddington 62, Cuthbertson 41
Big South 3A
Ashbrook 66, Forestview 52
Hunter Huss 62, South Point 53
Kings Mountain at North Gaston
Stuart Cramer 63, Crest 41
South Piedmont 3A
Central Cabarrus 50, West Rowan 39
Carson 66, Concord 62
Jay M. Robinson 39, Northwest Cabarrus 34
Lake Norman Charter 60, East Rowan 52
Western Foothills 3A
East Lincoln 65, St. Stephens 36
North Iredell 44, Statesville 27
North Lincoln 66, Fred T. Foard 36
West Iredell at Hickory
Rocky River 2A-3A
Anson County at West Stanly
Forest Hills 54, Central Academy 23
Monroe 58, Parkwood 40
Catawba Valley 2A
Bandys 56, Newton-Conover 46
Lincolnton at East Burke
Maiden 67, Bunker Hill 24
West Lincoln 37, West Caldwell 33
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Christ the King 54, Community School of Davidson 52
Corvian Community at Mountain Island Charter
Lincoln Charter 48, Bradford Prep 39
Pine Lake Prep at Langtree Charter
Southern Piedmont 1A-2A
Burns 38, Bessemer City 34
East Gaston at Shelby
Highland Tech at Cherryville
Yadkin Valley 1A-2A
Albemarle 69, Gray Stone Day 22
Mount Pleasant 41, North Stanly 31
Union Academy 69, South Stanly 17
Metro 1A
Carolina International at Valor Prep
Jackson Day 70, Sugar Creek Charter 10
Queen’s Grant Charter 71, Piedmont Community Charter 26
Metrolina Athletic
Gaston Christian at SouthLake Christian
Metrolina Chirstian 63, Gaston Day 31
Westminste4r Catawba 57, Hickory Grove Christian 34
Foothills Athletic
University Christian 32, Statesville Christian 27
Nonconference
Legion Collegiate 88, Cabarrus Stallions 11
Liberty Prep 48, Lee Park Prep 32
SATURDAY
Nonconference
Charlotte Elite at Central Carolina Prep (boys), 2 p.m.
Elevation Prep at Oak Hill (VA) Regional (boys), 2 p.m.
Hickory Ridge at Albemarle (girls), 6 p.m.
Lincoln Charter at Christ School (boys), 2:30 p.m.
South Charlotte Thunder at Providence Athletic Club (SC)
This story was originally published February 7, 2025 at 5:30 AM.